Salivary levels of interleukin‐8 and growth factors are modulated in patients with geographic tongue

Abstract

We consider IL-8 an inflammatory mediator, which contributes to the acute inflammatory response found in GT. EGF and VEGF also seem to be involved in the pathophysiology of GT.

Increased levels of calprotectin in the saliva of patients with geographic tongue

“…In our previous study, we demonstrated that patients with GT have significantly higher salivary IL‐8 output than control subjects (Dafar, Bankvall, Garsjo, et al, ). The current study demonstrates that salivary IL‐8 output was significantly increased ( p < .001) in the GT patients' group ( N = 22; mean, 1.3 ± 0.2 µg/min; median, 1 µg/min) compared with the Control group ( N = 31; mean, 0.55 ± 0.07 µg/min; median, 0.5 µg/min).…”

“…In the tissue, they follow concentration gradients of chemoattractants (e.g., IL‐8, leukotriene B4, C5a, and bacterial N‐formylated peptides) toward the site of inflammation. We have recently shown that the level of the neutrophil chemoattractant IL‐8 is increased in the saliva of patients with GT (Dafar, Bankvall, Garsjo, et al, ).…”

“…In the present study, we show that the calprotectin levels in the saliva correlate with increases in the levels of IL‐8 in the saliva. IL‐8, which is a cytokine, is responsible for directing neutrophils into the zone of inflammation (Dafar, Bankvall, Garsjo, et al, ; Graves & Jiang, ). The increase in calprotectin levels in the GT patients' group may reflect contributions from both the oral epithelial cells and neutrophils from the tongue, as well as from other sources, such as pocket exudates and the serum via the saliva itself.…”

“…The subjects were asked to expectorate once a minute for 10 min into a 50‐ml tube. Saliva is collected by spitting method as used in our previous studies (Dafar, Bankvall, Garsjo, Jontell, & Cevik‐Aras, ; Dafar, Rico, Isik, Jontell, & Cevik‐Aras, ). The collected saliva is considered as unstimulated saliva, but not resting saliva.…”

“…Then, the sandwich ELISA protocol was followed according to the manufacturer's instructions. The levels of salivary calprotectin and IL‐8 were evaluated separately for patients with GT and C. Salivary IL‐8 was assayed as described in our previous study (Dafar, Bankvall, Garsjo, et al, ).…”